The Supply and Uses of Water 235 



These conditions are not met at present and may not be met 

 for a considerable period of time. There are, however, many 

 available streams for the development of power, which, if not 

 prevented by political and other factors, could be profitably 

 utilized. The almost inexhaustible sources of water power in 

 the Pacific coast states, in the Rocky Mountain region, and in 

 many sections of the eastern part of the United States, are 

 largely neglected or their use denied. A familiar instance of 

 largely unused water power is the Niagara Falls together with 

 the rapids of the Niagara River. This is one of the best known 

 large volume and fairly abrupt fall rivers in the country, and 

 offers immense advantages in the production of power. In its 

 course of thirty-six miles, the river falls 326 feet, 206 feet of 

 this fall being included by the rapids and Niagara Falls. The 

 height of the falls is about 159 feet on the Canadian side, and 

 160 feet on the American side. The quantity of water flowing 

 over the falls is estimated at 222,400 cubic feet a second. How 

 many pounds will this equal? It is estimated that by proper 

 conservation of the flood waters of the river 4,000,000 to 6,500,- 

 000 horse power could be developed. At present a few hundred 

 thousand horse power, a mere fraction of the total available 

 power, is utilized by the Ontario and American hydro-electric 

 plants. 



The conditions upon which the above estimate of the possible 

 water power of the United States is based, are at present im- 

 possible of realization. A more moderate estimate which takes 

 account only of the average stream flow, puts the available 

 amount at about sixty million horse power. The significance of 

 these estimates is sharply emphasized by the fact that the total 

 amount of water power now developed from falling water is 

 hardly one fifth of the amount available according to the mini- 

 mum estimate. 



Comparative cost of power from fuel and water power. 

 Approximately 500,000,000 tons of coal are consumed annually 

 in producing 27,000,000 horse power. Only 3 to 18 per cent 



